I’m going to say something controversial; Christmas can be hard. Even if you are surrounded by loved ones for the festivities, hosting can be hard. Being a guest in someone else’s home can be hard. As much as we may cherish the time with family, relish the Christmas food, gleefully take part in Christmas games – it is a LOT to prepare and process. We are pulled in myriad directions, each with its own reason and merit. It can be overwhelming.
Moreover, this year many people’s Christmas plans have been impacted by cancelled trains, lost letters, delayed gifts, and a strong Covid-like flu making the rounds. At times like this, my grandmother’s wisdom always comes back to me. I hear her voice telling me, “We cannot pour from an empty cup.”
In December, you need to pour your love and time everywhere you go. Whether it’s carol concerts, nativity plays, pantomimes, or parties, present buying, tree decorating, food shopping, or Christmas card writing. The list goes on.
Taking moments to yourself at Christmas can make the difference between seeing these festive tasks as burdensome chores, or as joyful activities. Time to yourself can mean meditation, breathing exercises, or even 10 minutes reading (The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk is an uplifting read) or a podcast by Kia Aileen. The bedroom is probably best for these moments. There can be no people, pets or phone pings requesting your attention.
This festive period will bring joy and happiness, but we must take time to allow that joy in. After all, positivity and passion are the fuel that make us turn up, engage, interact, and love. The seemingly small gestures of helping someone on an icy pavement, buying a coffee for a homeless person, or surprising your children with a hot chocolate bomb after school (if you haven’t tried these by Cocoba Chocolate, you must!) It is these small acts of human interaction that bring the joy to our days and make the world a nicer place for all of us.
In the business, it is my team’s passion for people that keeps me going. Whether that’s for our customers, our business partners, or our team members. We’re wrapping up 2022 with big smiles, thanks to overwhelmingly positive customer feedback (our Excellent rating on Trustpilot is unmoved after 6 years) and some very exciting product launches! I am most proud of our Windsor Garden Collection comprising the Windsor Garden Upholstered Bed, an ottoman and two cushions upholstered in a fresh floral fabric. They are perfect pieces with which to refresh a room for spring, and lend themselves beautifully to anyone looking to experiment with the current maximalism trend.
Look out in January for more exclusive upholstered beds, designed in-house and made in the UK.
In the meantime, I wish you peaceful moments aplenty, cuddles with family, and that cashmere something you really, really want! Curl up and enjoy our latest discoveries, and see who we've been having brunch with this month.
Sunday Discoveries
LISTEN
We are loving the Waitrose podcast The Dish; it’s your substitute dinner party partner!
Join chef & restaurateur Angela Hartnett and DJ Nick Grimshaw for half hour, bite-sized segments of riotous dinner party chat.
A particular favourite of ours is Episode 1 of Series 2 with Rylan Clarke.
READ
Reflections, by Holly Willoughby.
Holly shows how listening to her inner voice and celebrating life’s little moments of beauty and joy – like looking up at the moon or finding the perfect red lipstick – helped her feel whole again.
It is a heartfelt and perceptive book about finding beauty, inside and out. One to binge-read over the holidays, and start the New Year with a new perspective!
RECYCLE
Every year, 6 million Christmas trees are thrown away in the UK, creating a huge amount of waste.
One step towards making Christmas a little more sustainable is to replant your tree and use it again next year.
Even if your tree cannot be recycled (cut Christmas trees cannot produce more roots) you can take some cuttings while it is still fresh and start growing your own tree for next year, straight from the cuttings of this year’s tree!
Find out more from this helpful article by Country Living
BRUNCH WITH... Kia
This month, we sit down with metaphysical speaker, teacher and counsellor Kia @iamkiaaileen.
Describe your perfect Sunday.
My perfect Sunday starts, like most days, with taking a deep breath and thinking of three things that I am grateful for. Then I make myself a mug of something warm, like a hot lemon or turmeric latte and climb back into bed with a good book next to my lovely husband and two furry pups. We then eat a yummy breakfast and take the dogs on a long walk in the forest. Later in the day, we light a fire and then wrap ourselves in a fluffy blanket to watch a film or American Football. Being from Philadelphia, I'm a huge fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Would you prefer to live in the city or surrounded by nature?
For me, nature will always win, hands down. As a city girl, I enjoy the temporary buzz but my happy place is being immersed in nature. If ever I feel overwhelmed or anxious, I head into the forest and feel my whole body just release. It's as if everything in me, down to my cells, knows I am safe and at home. A large part of my own healing journey has been facilitated by nature, so I love sharing this aspect with clients, as well. Nature is always working to bring itself back into balance, so when we are in nature and allow ourselves to become a part of it, it does that for us too.
Describe your home's style in 5 words or less.
Warm, Loving, Wonky (it's a really old house!), Welcoming embrace.
What does Me Time mean to you?
For me, Me Time is essential. As an ambivert, I enjoy social situations and meeting new people, but in order to ground myself and recharge my batteries, I require time alone - just to be. I love taking myself away on what I call Self-Care breaks where I might take magazines to do a vision board, or a good book to read. I cook lovely food, practice my qigong, meditate, journal and enjoy the quiet stillness. If I neglect to get enough Me Time, it can affect my relationships and how I show up for myself and my clients, so I schedule it in and try my best to stick to it!
What is your top tip for getting to sleep?
My top tip for getting to sleep is lavender oil. Source the highest quality, therapeutic essential oil that you can. My personal favourite lavender oil is from DoTerra. Before you tuck yourself in, place one or two drops of essential oil on the bottom of your feet and massage in well.
This is not a hot oil, so you can use it neat, or mix with a carrier oil, like fractionated coconut oil, if you prefer. Then, place one drop on your index finger and rub it on the back of your neck. Lastly, place two drops in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and then take a slow deep breath in to the count of six. Hold it at the top for four seconds and then slowly breathe out to the count of six. Hold at the bottom of the breath for four seconds. Repeat this step two more times.
If you do wake up in the night, open the lavender oil and take a few deep breaths in. Replace the top and say to yourself, "I open my eyes and breathe in. I close my eyes and breathe out. I open my eyes and breathe in. I close my eyes and breathe out." Slow the breath down and repeat, telling yourself that your eyes are getting heavier and heavier each time. "I close my heavy eyes and breathe out." Enjoy your restful sleep.
END OF YEAR OMNIBUS
As always, we have been busy bringing you our favourite blog topics this month. We listed our Favourite Christmas Romance Reads, gave you tips for Last Minute Christmas Gifting, and asked the question Are Silk Pillowcases Good For Your Skin And Hair?
This month however, we have something extra special - look back with us on our favourite moments over the past year, with this 2022 wrap-up film!
